About Us Committees Human Rights Lawyers and NGOs march for Human Rights 
| Lawyers and NGOs march for Human Rights |
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| Contributed by Will Fung Jui Seng | |
| Saturday, 10 December 2005 06:39pm | |
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More than 450 lawyers, concerned citizens and groups including various NGOs "took to the streets", marching with colourful and eye-catching banners and placards from Dataran Merdeka at 7.45 a.m. towards the Parliament House and finally adjourning an hour later to the Amphitheatre at Lake Gardens for speeches and performances. Policemen and traffic police outriders were there to control the traffic and ensure a smooth procession. (Click here to view the picture gallery) Amongst those present were Bar's leaders Yeo Yang Poh, Ambiga Sreenevasan, Ragunath Kesavan, Haji Sulaiman Abdullah, Cecil Rajendra, Lim Chee Wee, George Varughese and lawyers cum social activists such as Sivarasa Rasiah, Ramdas Tikamdas, Datuk Zaid Ibrahim, Chew Swee Yoke, Sivaneindiren Selvanandam, Nik Elin, Serene Ong, Edmund Bon, Amer Hamzah, James Khong, Sharmila Sekaran and Shanmuga Kanesalingam. At 8.35 a.m., Nik Elin, one of the coordinators for the march took the podium in welcoming the participants to this meaningful peaceful gathering followed by Yeo who said he hoped to see this becoming an yearly event to constantly raise awareness on human rights among the public. He added that the police must be seen as a friend to the people, as they are there to protect and safeguard the citizens’ rights and interests. He thanked the police for issuing the permit for this march as well as sending out police personnel to ensure a smooth flow of the procession. Chairman of the Human Rights Committee, Cecil Rajendra also recited epigrams tinged with sharp sarcasm about the various authorities. A series of performances then followed, including an outstanding perfoamnce by Professor Dr. Wan Zawawi; poem recitals by Nizam Zakaira; song performances by Josef Roy & Gang; Group named Advent Pilgrims, the children with a Rap presentation by Nik Elin & Josef; and the finale by Dominic & Gang. Comments (2)
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KUALA LUMPUR, Saturday: The Bar Council through its Human Rights Committee, the Malaysian Civil Liberties Society (MCLS) and the National Human Rights Society (HAKAM) today organised a peaceful march called "Celebration of Festival of Rights 2005" in conjunction with the International Human Rights Day. 
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The Bar Council and HAKAM got together and organised the FESTIVAL OF RIGHTS.
It was a festival for people from all walks of life and as such,a PEACEFUL WALK was held this morning at the Dataran Merdeka. About 488 people gathered, including the Polis Diraja Malaysia that gave their utmost co-operation and support in ensuring our safety. They were very pleasant even exchanging greetings and pleasantries.
Persatuan Bulan Sabit Merah was there as well to ensure no one got hurt.
The biggest group was probably the Joint Action Group, Sisters in Islam, Persatuan Ulamak Malaysia . And we had many children as well. Everyone was free to express themselves. There was even, Rainbow Jaguar, the Court Jester. Many personalities joined us and by 7.40 am we were provided Police escorts who stopped the traffic to make way for our procession. The walk was a symbolic walk, starting from Dataran Merdeka which symbolised Freedom. Then we passed by the Courts to symbolise Justice and proceeded to the Parliament which symbolised Democracy.
From Parliament, we proceeded to the Ampitheathre where the President of the Malaysian Bar, Mr Yeo Yang Poh welcomed all participants. But not before we all did some 10 x Ketuk Ketampi fun senamrobik. Then the President of HAKAM, Mr Cecil Rajendra, read us his poems. We had Nizam Zakaria, a novelist, and poet who recited his poems. Joseph Roy and his Amnesty International Malaysia team sang peace songs, followed by Prof Dr Wan Zawawi Ibrahim who rendered his lovely self composed songs. As a finale, we had the Advent Pilgrims to sing songs like Imagine.
I thoroughly enjoyed myself emceeing the show. And yes, I brought my nasi lemak. But I must thank the Police, Nestle Malaysia and all participants for making it a success.